Determination of Metal Content in “Valerian” Roots Phytopharmaceutical Derivatives of Argentine by Atomic Spectrometry

S. ARCE, S. CERUTTI, R. OLSINA, M.R. GÓMEZ, L.D. MARTINEZ

JOURNAL OF AOAC INTERNATIONAL

AOAC

Año: 2005 vol. 88 p. 221 - 225

1060-3271

Phytopharmaceuticals containing Valerian are used as mild sleep-inducing agents. The elementalcomposition of 3 different marks of Valeriana officinalis roots commercially available in theArgentinian market, their teas, and a commercial tincture have been studied. The content of Al, Ca, Cd, Co,Cr, Cu, Fe, Li,Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn was determined in phytopharmaceuticals by flame atomic emission/absorption spectrometry, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry,and ultrasonic nebulization coupled to inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.Prior to analyses of the samples, a digestion procedure was optimized. The analytical resultsobtained for Fe, Al, Ca, and V in the solid sample study were within the range 100–1000 mg/kg, and for Mn, Zn, and Pb within the range 10–100 mg/kg. Cadmium was found at levels up to 0.0125 mg/kg.